BRUCE L.

BRALEY
1ST DISTRICT, IOWA
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Michael P. Huerta, Administrator
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591
March 15, 2013
(202) 225-2911
FAX (202) 225-6666
htl p://braley.house.gov
RE: Dubuque Regional Airport Traffic Control Tower Closure Sequestration Cuts
Dear Administrator Huerta:
I write to oppose the proposed closure of the FAA Contract Air Traffic Control Tower in
Dubuque, Iowa. Having represented Dubuque for six years, I understand very well the
impact this airport has on the local economy and jobs. This closure would negatively
impact all aspects of the airport, but most drastically the University of Dubuque's Part
141 Professional Pilot program. Like my constituents, I believe that the education and
recruitment of future pilots should be a primary consideration in determining how to
implement cuts due to the Budget Control Act.
As you know, good safety programs are multi-layered but towers play a critical role in
providing safe separation and traffic flow. Closing this ATC tower will endanger the
operations underway at the Dubuque airport and the training program. With an airline
pilot shortage forecasted by the FAA, I am troubled that a tower that ensures the safety
and prudence of future pilots is being considered for closure. Instead we should be
maintaining these institutions to ensure private sector job growth. Even with visible pilot
shortages today, Dubuque' s pilot program has been filling the needs for the U.S.
travelers through American and Delta Airlines. With approximately 20 single engine and
3 multi-engine aircraft, the University of Dubuque implements five flight training blocks
per day, six days per week, with a large volume of training in a complex flight
environment. Without this tower, these training programs will suffer, and our pilot
shortage will worsen.
Each year Dubuque Airport hosts the North American Trainer Association (NAT A),
which as you can imagine is an honor for the city and a boon to the local economy.
Likewise, American Airlines serves the Dubuque economy and travelers with six flights
between Dubuque and Chicago-O'Hare each day, providing a vital link the tri-state area
business community.

As you can see, closing this tower will have an immediate and ongoing impact on the
economy of Dubuque, Iowa and the entire tri-state area. However, closing this tower
also limits emergency health options for my home state of Iowa, of which a great deal is
rural. The Dubuque Airport routinely provides safe and predictable transitions for
ambulance aircraft operating between the University of Iowa and Dubuque's Mercy and
Finley Hospitals, providing timely emergency health care to our some of our most rural
areas.
With more than 36,000 boarding passengers each year and standard service to the U.S.
military helicopters, fighters, and Air Force One, this airport has proven it provides key
and necessary services to a variety of U.S. interests each day. With all this in mind, on
behalf of our national economy, the services provided by Dubuque Airport, and the U.S.
pilot shortage, I urge you to reconsider closure of the ATC Tower in Dubuque, Iowa.
Thank you for your attention to my letter. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
~ c ~ y
Member of Congress (lA-
cc: Secretary LaHood, Department of Transportation